speedo cable leak

[SHA424]

hello, i have a leak where the speedo cable screws into the transmission. its not the housing that holds the speedo cable its right where it screws in. i tightened the speedo cable as much as i could and still leaks. any ideas? its a 71 buick with a turbo 400. speedo cable is new last year.<P>thank you<BR>shawn

[Guest]

There is a small rubber seal in the center of the speedo housing in the trans. What usually happens is that the seal wears a groove in the speedo gear and it causes a leak. Short of replacing the gear, you can get another seal from a tranny shop and put a second seal on the gear shaft. So you will have two seals to slow down the leak.<BR>Hope this helps.<BR>Mark

[SHA424]

mark it does help, basically you're saying to put one seal atop another. if i would to pull the housing off to check the gear-my speedo has been jumping around for 2 years and i thought the cable i put on last year would help - it didnt - it looks easy only one bolt holding it on would that be better to replace, i have a shop manual and it looks like it slides right out or would that make a royal mess? <P>and would aamco have this seal and gear if i need a new one or dont they sell parts, maybe the local gm dealer would have?<BR>thanks for your help and i am sorry for the small letters - my shift and caps keys dont work on this web tv keyboard - guess i will replace this too.<BR>shawn<p>[ 05-16-2002: Message edited by: SHA424 ]

[Guest grisby]

Hey Shawn, hows it going?? Long time no talk. Mark is dead on, but if you want to remove it, just remove the bolt like you say and pull it right out. There is a little metal retaining ring holding the seal in place. I dont know if AAMCO has the parts(I stay clear of those places), but try one of the tranny shops in the area. Keep away from Don's Transmissions, he is only good for mini vans and not to knowledgeable on anything else, except taking you're money and not honoring warranties(you remember that thread!!). <BR>If you want give me a call and I will come over.<BR>Take it easy,<BR>bill g

[Guest]

Usually I jack the back of the car up so the nose is down and the fluid runs forward. You could back it up on a curb to get some lift too.<BR>Just one bolt and a little wiggling should get the housing out. Bill is correct about the little spring retainer to get the seal out. Since your cable is jumping, you may want to look at the gear. Hopefully it hasn't worn the housing too much. What can also happen is that the drive gear (if it is the plastic one) has become loose on the tailshaft of the trans.<BR>Keep in mind the you need specific tooth gears to keep your speedo in the same reading.<BR>You will need to replace the same gear with the same teeth if worn.<BR>The GM p/n for the small seal is 1240382, though you should be able to get it from a trans shop. All Th200/350/400 should use this same seal. <BR>If the housing is worn that is a different story as TH400 are specific and depend on the gear sizes. They are p/n 1362294 (34-39 teeth) and 1362293 (40-45 teeth)if still avaiable from GM. Probably more info than you need but good to have.<BR>Let me know if you need any more info.<BR>Good Luck,<BR>Mark

[SHA424]

mark and bill thanks for the help and the offers of help. never got to it this weekend the girlfriend had other plans for me and i ended up in virginia.<P> mark i know the numbers on my housing say 40 to 45, i remember seeing that on there when i was under the car. if i cant get that housing and if i where to need it to stop the leak, could i not put the other housing in knowing that my speedo was off? i mean it should still fit, right?<BR>thanks<BR>shawn

[Guest]

Both housings fit the case. Just you can only gears that fit the housing. Go with the 2 seal method first and see how it goes.<P>Mark

[SHA424]

will do, thanks mark<BR>i will let you know how i make out.<BR>shawn